Paul Spencer
Teaching Inspiration

School was not always the number one priority for me growing up. Between my social life, sports, and the general lack of motivation, I did not take my education that seriously until my junior year of high school. In my junior year I had an amazing English teacher. As the semester began to move forward we developed a positive relationship. She personally became invested in me and pushed me to accomplish more than I thought I could. Whether it be in her class or others, she was always communicating to me the importance of my education and that I should set high goals for myself. When the time to start thinking about college rolled around I wasn't sure that I was going to go. Not only did I generally have no interest in going to college, but I did not have the slightest idea as to what I wanted to do when I grew up. As my senior year rolled around, I had yet to even look at colleges or even think about taking the SAT’s. When I told her that I did not think I was going to go to college she did all but hit me. After this, she was on my case until I finally applied to colleges and took the SAT’s. Before I met this teacher I did not have much direction in what to do after high school. I believe that I am where I am today because of her words and because she saw that I was capable of much more than I thought I was. It is because of Ms. S and teachers like her that I want to become a future educator. I want to push my students to set high expectations for themselves and to accomplish much more than they think they can.